Sightseeing · Phaplu
Thubten Choling Monastery
A large, peaceful Buddhist retreat near Junbesi, home to a community of monks and nuns in the Solu hills.
Thubten Choling Monastery is a large and tranquil Tibetan Buddhist retreat in a forested side valley of Solu, a short walk above the Sherpa village of Junbesi and about a day on foot from Phaplu. Founded in the 1960s under the late Trulshik Rinpoche by refugees who left the Rongbuk monastery in Tibet, it grew into one of the Everest region's most important communities of monks and nuns devoted to meditation and study.
What to expect
Unlike a ceremonial gompa, Thubten Choling is a living retreat centre, with rows of simple dwellings around the central monastery buildings where residents pursue long periods of practice. The atmosphere is quiet and contemplative, set among pine forest and terraced fields. Visitors who arrive respectfully can take in the prayer hall, murals and the gentle rhythm of monastic life, gaining a sense of the deep Buddhist devotion that runs through Solu.
For background on the tradition, read the national guides to monasteries of Nepal and Sherpa people and culture.
Getting there
Thubten Choling is reached on foot, a short uphill walk of around an hour or two from Junbesi, which is itself several hours' walk north of Phaplu. It pairs perfectly with an overnight in Junbesi and makes a meaningful detour on the Pikey Peak trek or the low walk-in toward the Khumbu.
Pairing with Chiwong
Together with the cliffside Chiwong Monastery above Phaplu — famous for its Mani Rimdu festival — Thubten Choling completes a rewarding pair of contrasting monastic experiences: one ceremonial and dramatic, the other quiet and inward. Both feature among the top things to do in Phaplu.
Visiting respectfully
This is above all a place of retreat. Keep your voice down, dress modestly, walk clockwise around shrines, ask before photographing residents, and never enter rooms or interrupt practice uninvited. A small donation toward the community is appreciated.
Good to know
- Access: On foot from Junbesi (around 1-2 hours uphill); no road.
- Etiquette: Silence and modesty matter here more than at most sights.
- Nearby: Combine with Junbesi village and plan onward from the Phaplu travel guide.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Thubten Choling Monastery?+
Thubten Choling is a large Tibetan Buddhist retreat monastery in the Solu valley north of Junbesi and Phaplu. Established in the 1960s under the late Trulshik Rinpoche by refugees from Rongbuk in Tibet, it grew into one of the region's most important meditation communities of monks and nuns.
Where is Thubten Choling?+
It lies in a quiet side valley a short walk up from Junbesi in the Solu part of Solukhumbu, reachable on foot from Phaplu in around a day. The setting is forested and serene, well suited to its role as a place of study and retreat.
Can visitors go to Thubten Choling?+
Yes, respectful visitors are welcome to the precincts, though it is first and foremost a working retreat, so quiet and modest behaviour are essential. Dress conservatively, keep noise low, ask before photographing residents, and avoid disturbing meditation or teaching.
How is Thubten Choling different from Chiwong?+
Chiwong is a cliffside ceremonial gompa above Phaplu famous for the Mani Rimdu festival, while Thubten Choling is a large, contemplative retreat community focused on meditation and study. Visiting both gives a fuller picture of Sherpa Buddhism in Solu.
